ABSTRACT
In the context of colic, two primary issues are related to nutrition and feeding management. The first relates to the possible role of diet and feeding management in the development of colic in an individual horse. Some epidemiologic studies have provided evidence that changes in diet and feeding practice increase the risk of colic (e.g., changes in the type or batch of hay, sudden exposure to lush pasture, increased amount of grain or concentrate fed, and changes in the type of grain or concentrate).1-4 Discussions with the owner or manager of the colic patient regarding current feeding management may identify known risk factors for colic and guide development of a feeding program that mitigates risk of future episodes of diet-related colic.
